Carton lifter



Nov. 11, 1958 R. E. MARCHESKI CARTON LIFTER Filed April 8, 1955 FIG- 2 INVENTOR.

RUTH E. MARCHESKI ATT NEY United States Patent CARTON LIFTER Ruth Marcheski, Detroit, 7 Application April 8, 1955 Serial No. 500,197

5 Claims. (Cl. 294-28) This invention relates to apparatus for lifting and carrying articles and more particularly relates to apparatus for lifting and carrying gable top cartons.

Gable top cartons are presently used for many purposes. For example, such cartons have been very successfully used as milk containers for the distribution of milk. Among other reasons, gable top cartons have been widely accepted because of the ease of theirdisposal after usage and because of the alleviation of the glass breakage problem and the problem of having to collect and return milk bottles.

Milk cartons are usually distributed in rectangularly shaped wood or metal cases. A great deal of difficulty has been encountered in packing the cartons in the cases and also in removing the cartons once they have been packed. One reason for this is that the tops of the cartons are difficult to grip with ones fingers and another reason is that a person cannot easily handle more than two cartons at any one time. There has been a definite need for apparatus to facilitate the removal of cartons from their cases and to facilitate the handling of one or more cartons.

This invention provides apparatus for lifting and carrying one or more gable top cartons. The invention includes a first plate and a plurality of second plates hinged to the first plate. A plurality of levers are provided on the second plates for moving the second plates towards making contact with the first plate. By moving one or more of the levers, the tops of one or more cartons may be gripped between the plates for subsequent lifting and carrying of the cartons.

An object of this invention is to provide apparatus for lifting and carrying one or more articles, such as milk cartons.

Another object of this invention is to provide apparatus having a plurality of jaws which may be individually operated to grip one or more articles.

A further object is to provide apparatus of the above character which is simple to construct and is easy to operate.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a lifter comprising one embodiment of this invention.

Figure 2 is another perspective view of the lifter being used to lift cartons from a case.

In one embodiment of the invention a plurality of plates 10, 12, 14 and 16 are spaced from one another and are hinged to a plate 18. A hinge pin 20 retains the plates 10, 12, 14 and 16 in hinged relationship to the plate 18. The plates 10, 12, 14 and 16 are provided with lugs 22, 24, 26 and 28, respectively, which act as stoppers to limit the angular displacement between the plates and the plate 18. For example, when the angular 7 distance between the plate 10 and the plate 18 reaches 30", the lug 22 comes into contact with the top portion of the plate 18 and prevents further movement of the plate 10 relative to the plate 18.

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Lever arms 30, 32, 34 and 36 are attached to the plates .10, 12, 14 and 16, respectively, and an arm or handle 38 is attached to the plate 18. When the lever arms are moved towards the handle 38, the plates 10, 12, 14 and 16 move into contact with the plate 18 in a jaw-like ac tion. The inner surfaces of the plates 10, 12, 14 and 16 and the inner surface of the plate 18 may be roughened or may be provided with a non-skid material40 so as to securely grip any item inserted between the plates.

Prior to use, the above disclosed apparatus is held by grasping the handle When the apparatus is held this manner, it normally assumes the position shown in Figure 1. In this position, the plates 10, 12, 14 and 16 are fully displaced from the plate 18 and each of the vlugs 22, .24, 26 and 28 are resting on the top portion of the .plate 18.

The apparatus may then be put into use by placing it over the tops of a row off-cartons in a case. With the use of one hand, the individual can then move one or more of the levers 30, 32, 34 and 36 towards the handle 38 to produce a closure between the plates 10, 12, 14 and/ or 16 and the plate 18 so as to grip the tops of particular cartons in the row. In this way these cartons may be lifted from a case or elsewhere and carried to a desired place. For example, in Figure 2 the apparatus is shown lifting three cartons out of a row of four cartons in a case. l

The above disclosed invention has several important advantages. Because of the leverage action provided by the lever arms, a firm grip is maintained on the cartons and any slippage is prevented. The apparatus can be simply operated to lift and carry one to four cartons with one hand leaving the other hand free for other purposes. Furthermore, the cartons can be individually released and deposited at desired places. For example, if four cartons are being carried, one carton may be released and deposited at four different places. The apparatus would be very useful to milkmen in their deliveries. It would also be useful at any distributing point where it is necessary to remove cartons from their cases, such as in the dairy department of super markets.

Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to particular applications, the principles involved are susceptible of numerous other applications which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. The invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for lifting and carrying gable top cartons, including, a first plate, a plurality of second plates disposed in spaced relationship to one another and hinged to the first plate for pivotal movement relative to the plate, a handle connected to the first plate, and a plurality of lever arms connected to the second plates, each lever arm being movable relative to the handle to produce a pivotal movement of a second plate towards the first plate to grip the top of a carton between the plates.

2. Apparatus for lifting and carrying gable top cartons, including, a first plate, a plurality of second plates pivotably connected to the first plate, a plurality of lugs on the second plates to limit the angular displacement between the second plates and the first plate, an arm connected to the first plate, and a plurality of levers connected to the second plates, each lever being movable relative to the arm to produce a pivotal movement of a selected second plate towards the first plate to grip a carton top between the plates.

3. Apparatus for lifting and carrying one or more gable top cartons, including a first plate, a plurality .of second plates pivotably attached to the first plate, the second plates being disposed in spaced relationship with respect to one another, and means connected to the first plate and to each second plate for producing a pivotal and the first plate, a handle attached to the first plate,

and a lever attached to each one of the second plates, one or more of the levers being movable relative to the handle on the first plate to produce a movement of one or more second plates towards the first plate for firmly gripping the tops of one or more cartons. -5. Apparatus for lifting and carrying one or more gable top cartons, including, a first plate, a plurality of second plates'pivotably mounted on the first plate in spaced relationship with respect to one another, means on each second plate to maintain the angular displacement between each second plate and the first plate within predetermined limits, non-skid material disposed on the inner surface of the first plate and on the inner surfaces of the second plates to firinly grip the tops of cartons upon a pivotal movement of the second plates against the first plate, a handle on the first plate, and a lever on each one of the second plates, the levers being normally maintained at a particular angular distance from the handle in accordance with the predetermined limit of displacement between the second plates and the first plate, each lever being individually movable relative to the handle to pivot its associated second plate against the first plate for gripping a carton top between the plates.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,484,222 Kightlinger Feb. 19, 1924 1,514,863 Rytell Nov. 11,1924 1,573,263 Madden Feb. 16, 1926 1,918,486 Onos a July 18, 1933 "1,974,255 Behrendt Sept. 18, 1934 

